The Field of 68 launching new opening day showcase event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rob Dauster

June 20, 2024

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Field of 68 is partnering with Sanford Sports and the Sanford Pentagon to launch a new, innovative event on the opening day of the college basketball season. On Nov. 4, 2024, the Sanford Pentagon will host “The Field of 68 Opening Day Showcase,” featuring matchups between six of the best programs in college basketball.

The inaugural event features the following matchups:

• Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara

• College of Charleston vs. Southern Illinois

• McNeese State vs. South Dakota State

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. CT, August 1 at ticketmaster.com

The games will be broadcast on The Field of 68’s YouTube Channel and X feeds, and the network’s popular After Dark show will go live from the floor of the Sanford Pentagon at 11 p.m. ET. The times of the games will be released later.

“This is something we felt as though we needed because of how difficult it is for all of us to schedule quality opponents. It gives us a neutral site opportunity against a high-quality Quad 1 or Quad 2 opponent,” College of Charleston athletic director Matt Roberts said. “I’m really hoping this spurs others to follow and join us in the future.”

“We are honored to be involved in this event, which has some of the elite programs in the country that exist outside the sport’s traditional power structure,” Field of 68 founder Rob Dauster said. “This is a great opportunity for us to be able to provide more coverage for these teams that frankly don’t get enough. What we do at the Field of 68 is try and give teams at all levels the coverage they deserve.” 

“The vision of The Field of 68 to bring together these six quality teams will set the stage for the beginning of an unforgettable season of college basketball, and we are proud to help kick it off at the Sanford Pentagon,” said Jesse Smith, vice president of Sanford Sports. “I especially want to thank all six coaches for their willingness to sign their programs up for an incredible early season test that could potentially have a massive impact during the tournament selection process.”     

Saint Louis is coached by Josh Schertz, who made the move to the A-10 program after a 32-win season at Indiana State a year ago. He will be joined at Saint Louis by one of the biggest stars in the sport, Robbie Avila.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the Field of 68’s Opening Day Showcase,” Schertz said. “A great event, a great venue and a chance to kick off our season against a great opponent in Santa Clara.”

The Billikens will face off against Santa Clara of the WCC. Herb Sendek has led the Broncos to three consecutive top four finishes in the WCC while having a player drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft in each of the last two years.

“We look forward to competing at the historic Pentagon,” Sendek said. “We’re excited about our team, but we face a real challenge against Saint Louis.”

After spending the last two years working as an analyst on The Field of 68, Chris Mack replaced Pat Kelsey as Charleston’s head coach. He will be coaching his first game in more than 30 months. The Cougars are expected to be the CAA preseason favorites. 

“I know a lot of you thought you’d never have to see me again on that bogus network, Field of 68, but I’m back,” Mack said. “And for those of you that think I can no longer coach a lick of basketball, you can tune in and find out when we take on Southern Illinois in the first game of the college basketball season with the Field of 68 Opening Day Showcase.”

The Cougars will face off with Southern Illinois, who hired former Wright State head coach Scott Nagy in the spring. Nagy was previously the head coach at South Dakota State, leading the Jackrabbits transition to the Division I ranks. He made the NCAA Tournament three times in a five-season span in Brookings.  

“We are so excited to start our season at the Field of 68’s Opening Day Showcase,” Nagy said.

Current South Dakota State head coach Eric Henderson will be looking to make it to his third NCAA Tournament this season by kicking off the season against arguably the best mid-major team in college basketball in McNeese State. Will Wade has put together a loaded roster that should be able to build on last season’s 30-4 record.

“We’re really excited to be a part of this Field of 68 event,” Wade said. “Tremendous venue, tremendous opponent, should be a great start to the season. College basketball usually gets off to a slow start, but being in a great event like this, where a lot of the best mid majors in the country are at the same place, it’s gonna be awesome.”

“What a way to start the season, with Will Wade bringing his Cowboys to South Dakota,” Henderson said.